DECLARAION- This story has been written and produced by Cathrath (FanFiction. net ID: 609465). Distribution of any kind is prohibited without the written consent of Cathrath. If you should see this story posted anywhere other than FanFiction .net or under any other name it has been stolen so please notify the author. I do not own Yu-gi-oh.

Authors Note

Well its here, sorry its taken a while had a major bout of writers block with the plot but I got it sorted in the end. This story is a little darker than its predecessor 'Power of the Pharaoh' so I've upped the rating for safety. I still think 'Power of the Pharaoh' ran a little close to the wire as a PG but I got no complaints.

If you haven't read 'Power of the Pharaoh' then you need to. 'Vicious Circle' takes place two years after the events of the first story and I don't go into much detail about past events. So you will need to read the first to make sense it. If you're reading 'Power of the Pharaoh' for the first time please let me have you reviews as they are still much appreciated. Like wise goes for the sequel. I hope you like it. Please review I don't mind criticism but please make it constructive if you feel the need. -)

Chapter 1 – A New Beginning

As the sun began to rise over the desert its golden light outlined the figure of a young boy with dark hair standing on a balcony looking out over the city. He was not particularly tall and his dark hair was tinted with crimson at the edges and long blond bangs framing his face.

Prince Yugi leaned on the edge of balcony with a peaceful look on his face as he watched the progress of the sun. When the sun had finally hit the last of the buildings he sighed contentedly and turned back to the room behind him. He moved to the table in its centre and sat down smiling at the figure in front of him. The figure that smiled back was almost identical to him although slightly taller and some of his blonde bangs had been swept back into his dark hair. The other difference was that he wore a crown.

Yami smiled as he took in his companion's contented look. Yugi always greeted the morning in the same way, watching the sunrise over the city. Ever since Yugi had arrived at the palace it had been his favourite thing to do. Yami leaned back lazily and reached for his goblet as his mind drifted back to the day when he had first met Yugi. It was two years since Yami had undertaken the tradition of choosing his slaves from his subjects. He recalled the sight of the small, frightened and beaten boy he had taken as his personal servant. He had taken pity on him, and the similarities in their features had been intriguing. However, he could never have imagined at the time that their meeting had been foretold or have expected the dangers and surprises that had followed. He turned back to look at his cousin who was happily eating his breakfast. They always had breakfast together.

Yami closed his eyes as he recalled the events of the past. Yes, the danger for the two of them had been very real. Yami still couldn't forgive himself for the mistakes he had made. After an attempt on his life he had been tricked into accusing Yugi of being his attacker and had ordered his arrest and execution. A command he thought to his horror, after learning the truth, had been carried out. He began to play with the inverted pyramid hanging around his neck, deep in thought. His then High Priest, Seto had kidnapped Yugi and Yugi died at his hand. Due to a prophecy made at Yami's birth Yugi's death had given Yami control over the shadow realm a dark and terrible place where monsters and great power dwelled. Using this power Yami had banished Seto to the shadow realm for eternity. Yami sighed. Although he had revived Yugi with the powers of the millennium puzzle and knew that there was no way Seto could return, he couldn't help a worried thought at the back of his mind.

"Yami."

Yami looked up to see Yugi standing and looking across the table at him.

"Are you alright Yami? I've been trying to get your attention for ages but you didn't hear me," Yugi asked concerned.

Yami smiled at his cousin.

"Sorry, I'm fine, really."

Yugi sat back down.

"So, what were you thinking about?" He asked as he carried on with his breakfast.

Yami adjusted his position to a much more comfortable one and reached for the fruit in front of him. He had been so deep in thought that he had almost forgotten to eat breakfast and his stomach was growling loudly.

"I was thinking back to when we first met. Do you realise it was two years ago today."

"Two years already!" Yugi exclaimed tipping his head back and placing the back of his hand against his forehead in feigned shock.

"I don't know how I've lasted so long."

His words had been said in jest but Yami's look darkened.

"You nearly didn't you know."

Yugi lowered his hand and looked over at the Pharaoh, his face taking on a more serious expression.

"So that's what's been keeping your mind occupied over the last few days. You know he can't come back."

Yami sighed.

"What if I did something wrong when I sealed Seto in the shadow realm and he found a way to get back?"

Yami paused.

"What if he came after you again?" finally getting to the real reason for his concern.

Yugi was the chosen one and Yami always worried that someone trying to gain control over the shadow realm could kidnap him again, just as Seto had done.

Yugi stood up from his chair and walked around the table. He knelt down beside Yami.

"It's never going to happen Yami," he said firmly looking up at the Pharaoh.

"Seto is gone and with the amount of guards you pack around me and the training Jou is getting from Honda there is no way anyone would try to take me. No one would dare."

He flashed Yami one of his mischievous smiles.

"Besides, you would come after them and kick their butts so stop worrying."

Yami couldn't help but burst out laughing at Yugi's terminology. He swept Yugi into a tight embrace, which made Yugi squeak in surprise.

"You're right Yugi I'm sorry. I just want to protect you. After all we went through I don't ever want to loose you again and besides, you are next in line for the throne if anything should happen to me."

Yugi's face fell and his eyes widened.

"Then we had better make sure nothing does," he said a look of abject terror on his face.

Things had been much simpler when Yugi had been just a slave, aside from the beatings his grandfather had given him. That was until he met Yami. After going through hell and back and nearly dying on several occasions Yugi had thought that things couldn't have got any worse until Ishizu had smiled and hit him with the news that he wasn't a slave at all but Yami's cousin, a Prince. He had never really recovered from that and although he now accepted that people would bow to him and call him Your Highness, he really didn't like it. It had taken a while to get used to his new role and despite the fact that he could wear any clothing or jewellery he chose, he still opted for the simpler garments, plain tunics with very little trim or decoration which were in stark contrast to Yami's. The jewellery he also kept to the bare minimum, mainly because it was heavy and he was only small. He recalled a time when Yami had piled so much jewellery on him he had collapsed under the weight. He hadn't been able to stand until a good proportion of it had been removed. Yami had collapsed in fits of laughter at Yugi's predicament and although at the time Yugi was not amused he could see the funny side now. He smiled at the memory. Yugi was exceptionally cautious now and the only thing he wore to identify his position was a small gold circlet around his forehead and he only wore that because Yami insisted. He loved Yami dearly and would do anything for his cousin but he had never really got used to being a Prince.

Yami loosened his hug and gave Yugi a smile.

"I have a great idea. Why don't we forget work today and go out into the city."

There was a slight hint of something in Yami's voice and a glint in his eye that Yugi didn't like. That look normally meant trouble.

"Why?" he asked slowly.

"No reason," Yami said lightly.

"We could do with an outing and it's been a while since we've had a day off."

Yami stood and started to walk towards the main door. Yugi remained where he was for a moment trying to find a hidden agenda to Yami's statement. After deciding that the apparent danger had passed he started to follow.

"Besides, we need to get you a new servant," Yami's said in a calm voice.

Yugi froze.

"I've already got one," he responded quickly.

He had reluctantly agreed, after much pushing, to get himself a personal servant to do the menial tasks, which Yami said, were below the attention of a Prince. Yugi had firmly pointed out that he had been a servant and these menial tasks as he put them were something he was quite familiar with. However, Yami had insisted, even to the point of pulling rank and ordering him to get one. Yugi had flustered at the indignity but had finally agreed when Yami had offered to put him the dungeon for failing to comply with a Royal command.

Reluctantly Yugi had picked a servant but he had been clever in his choice. He had picked a quiet and dependable man to serve him but the problem was he getting old. A trait Yugi had picked him for on purpose knowing that he would soon be too old to work. Yami it seemed had seen right through this though. Yami's voice cut through his thoughts once more and Yugi grimaced at his tone.

"Don't think I don't know why you picked Getan as you servant Yugi. You and I both know he's too old to work much longer and you're not getting off that easily. We will swing by the slave market on the way and you can pick a new servant, one that's a little younger this time."

Yugi muttered something under his breath, which sounded like 'you reckon' and defiantly stalked towards the door. Yami grabbed his shoulders and swung him round as he passed.

"Yugi if you don't pick sensibly this time then I will pick for you."

Yugi's eyes widened at this. He was cornered if Yami picked for him he would end up with some over-bearing mother-like figure. Seeing that he had no way out he sighed in defeat.

"Ok, Ok. You win."

Yami stood up with a triumphant look on his face ignoring the rebellious looks Yugi was giving him. He gestured to the door with a dramatic sweep of his arm.

"After you Your Highness," he said with a mock bow.

Yugi stalked towards the door, back straight, trying to regain some of his dignity.

The sun blazed down against their skin as they walked across the courtyard. After they had returned to the palace from their adventures at Hamet the previous year Yami had insisted Yugi have his own bodyguard. He had assigned him Honda. Yugi hadn't minded having Honda as his bodyguard and he had to admit he always felt safe when Honda was around. Honda had taken his new role seriously and Prince or no Prince he would often lecture Yugi extensively about taking care of his own safety when he put himself innocently into what he would call a 'high-risk situation'. Yugi recalled one time when he had decided to retrieve a rather juicy looking apple from a high branch of a tree in the south garden. Yugi had climbed the tree but on reaching for his prize had slipped and fallen. Honda had caught him. Yugi had to admit if Honda hadn't been there he could have been seriously injured and he didn't really mind the lectures.

They continued across the courtyard towards the guard's quarters and training yard. After their return to the palace Yami had mentioned to Honda that Jou had fought well in the fight with the Seto's men when they had attacked Yugi's rescue party. Honda had taken it upon himself to train Jou. Jou was a willing student but a bit overconfident at times. These occasions usually ended in Jou landing on his backside in an undignified fashion. As Yugi and Yami entered the training yard they were greeted with just such an occasion.

Jou and Honda were sparring with swords and it looked like Jou had the upper hand as he pushed Honda back with his swings. However, as a skilled swordsman himself Yami could see differently and smirked as Honda suddenly dropped to the floor and rolled. Jou stumbled and fell to the floor as he over balanced with his swing. He rolled onto his back but stopped as the tip of Honda's sword pressed against his throat.

"You did it again," Honda growled in frustration.

"Never, overstretch your swing, you're only going to over balance and hit the dirt every time."

He withdrew the sword and held out a hand to Jou who grabbed it. Honda pulled him to his feet with a look of amusement as Jou grumbled under his breath. The two of them looked around at the sound of laughter. Laughing uncontrollably the Royal pair had collapsed against each other for support.

"I suppose Your Highnesses thought that was funny," Jou said in an un-amused fashion as he approached Yugi and the Pharaoh.

He stopped before Yugi and smiled. Yugi wiped the tears from his eyes and smiled back at his friend and advisor. Jou had grown quite a bit in two years and thanks to the hard training Honda was giving him he was developing into a good fighter. Yugi knew the real reason his gentle friend had agreed to learn how to fight. Soon after being appointed as Yugi's advisor Jou had told him that he wanted to learn how to protect him. Yugi had been so moved by Jou's admission that he had burst into tears. Jou really was the best friend he could have.

Honda approached, dusting himself off in the process.

"Your Highness," he said as he bowed respectfully to Yami.

"What can I do for you or did you come to see me knock Jou's skinny behind into the dirt again." An amused smirk crossed Honda face as he glanced at Jou.

"Hey, enough of the skinny. I beat you yesterday remember," Jou said indignantly.

Yugi smiled as the two of them batted insults at each other. Yugi knew they were the best of friends and the apparent offence was just their way of showing affection for each other. Yami coughed awkwardly and the two looked around sheepishly at their audience.

"When you two are quite finished," Yami gave the pair a stern look.

"I think we could all do with getting out of the palace for a while and His Royal Highness here needs to pick a new servant."

Yugi cringed. He had hopped Yami had forgotten about that. Jou smiled at his friend's reaction. Yami ignored Yugi's reaction and continued.

"Before you two end up rolling on the ground again can I suggest we retire to the stables."

Jou and Honda both nodded in agreement.

"Sounds like a great idea and might I just add that as your advisor Yugi, I fully agree with Yami's decision. You need a new servant. I like Getan but he really is getting too old to work."

Annoyed at Jou siding with Yami, Yugi crossed his arms across his chest in a huff.

"Thanks a lot, I was hoping you would be on my side."

Jou smiled at his friend.

"Sorry, Yug but it's for your own good."

Yami had sent word ahead of their plans and their horses stood ready with several guards to accompany them. Yugi sighed at the presence of the guards, they were for Yami's protection, not his this time. Although Yami was well loved by his people there was always the possibility that someone could try to assassinate him. Just like Yugi's parents, Yami's father, the previous Pharaoh had been murdered and Yami lived with the possibility that someone may try to do the same to him.

Once mounted, something Yugi was getting better at now that Yami had bought him a smaller horse, they set off through the gates of the palace and out into the city.